2022 Best Neighborhoods to Raise a Family in the Portland Area

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Works Here: My experience of the Area Overall.Has been Gratifying,Productive,Professionally and Socially Satisfying... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 51

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• •
  Rating 4.47 out of 5  15 reviews

Niche User: I've lived here since I was born. I loved the people, the clean air, fresh water, and access to good healthy food in a sustainable city.... Read 15 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 5,168

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• grade A+

• grade B+

• grade A+

• Population 1,188

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• grade A+

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 5,441

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• •
  Rating 4.8 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: This neighborhood is full of great people who are down to earth and extremely caring. The area is very clean. It is near many good schools going from grade school all the way up to high school. Alameda street has a lot of food bars to pick from.... Read 5 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 5,132

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• •
  Rating 4.8 out of 5  10 reviews

Current Resident: I love Eastmoreland for the well-maintained historic homes, safe quiet streets, and huge shady trees. We have also been really pleased with the public schools. I have a correction for the description on this site, though. Eastmoreland does not have its own business district, so you need to go to Woodstock or Sellwood or another surrounding neighborhood to shop, run errands, or go out to eat. Not having a business district can be thought of as an advantage when you see how much they are encroaching on residential areas of Portland, but it also makes Eastmoreland less functionally walkable and bikeable.... Read 10 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Population 4,340

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: It depends what you’re looking for, of course, but Arlington Heights is very desirable. While not as walkable as Northwest or the Pearl, you can definitely get down to 23rd, goose hollow, and even downtown, if you’re ambitious. Great schools, well kept houses, green spaces, awesome neighbors!... Read 8 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 882

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  5 reviews

Niche User: In my neighborhood I feel very safe and free to leave my car unlocked, or walk around at night.... Read 5 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 3,609

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: This site's wildly inaccurate and ridiculous description of my neighborhood says: "In Sylvan-Highlands there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks." As a 20+ year home owner and resident of the Sylvan Highlands neighborhood, this statement is simply absurd. Although there are many such business in nearby downtown, there are NO BARS, restaurants, or coffee shops within the residential part of the neighborhood. The only businesses of any kind are found on the outskirts of the neighborhood. The sole exception to this is the Portland Tennis Club, perhaps the most expensive/exclusive club of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. It sits in the middle of the neighborhood. There are not "many" parks, but the neighborhood is dominated by one very large one: Washington Park, which consists of more than 410 acres and some 15 miles of hiking trails. Contained inside of Washington Park is Portland's Hoyt Arboretum, whose 188 acres comprise almost half of Washington Park.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 1,254

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  14 reviews

Current Resident: It is very busy. Good access to local business and food. A lot of families live there. The schools are very overcrowded. It is very safe. Downsides are it is very expensive to buy there, and very little diversity.... Read 14 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 6,191

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  9 reviews

Niche User: Very little crimes, except there seems to have been an increase in car break-ins recently.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 5,867

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  6 reviews

Current Resident: Laurelhurst is lovely. It’s really central to all of Portland and east to get to downtown. It’s bikeable to everywhere, walkable, has a cultural identity that includes diversity, is full of nice people, rich with nature, and is very charming. I love living here! Best neighborhood in PDX, hands down.... Read 6 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 4,894

• Neighborhood in Beaverton, OR

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Niche User: I really like this area. It is a lot of families, and it is nice to be just outside of Portland.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 6,031

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  13 reviews

Current Resident: Irvington encapsulates parts of Portland that have been lost in the last couple decades due to gentrification. The community is more queer and less white than most of the city, but this also means that crime and chaos are common. I love my neighbors, however, and I trust that this is a neighborhood that will take care of itself should the need arise. The surroundings are full of plant life, the houses are old and huge, and the streets feel real. There are a number of stores nearby that might seem shifty, but the employees tend to treat you with respect if you afford them the same. There are a lot of houseless people who have few places to be who will live in nearby cars. Leave them alone and focus on supporting each other. The crows are knowledgable. The cops are numerous. The sirens sound all night, permeating the restless haze the city generates. I'm grateful for my trans comrades who struggle just as much as I do to make it in a city that actively tries to push us out.... Read 13 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 6,755

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• grade A

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 428

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• grade A+

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 2,070

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Niche User: I feel very safe walking alone here... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• grade B+

• grade A

• Population 2,784

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Niche User: The police are everywhere. Because it is such a small and affluent community they have little to do in the way of serious crime, so watch out for speeding tickets, especially if your car looks out of place (old and not a Mercedes).... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• grade B+

• grade A

• Population 1,575

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  11 reviews

Niche User: This is such a great location in the Portland metro area with easy access to downtown, the interstate, and shopping, while at the same time feeling far enough removed from the bustle of the city. We love to walk in Tryon creek and the Riverview Nature area. Just wish there were more local coffee shops/restaurants.... Read 11 reviews

• grade A+

• grade B+

• grade A

• Population 5,554

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  4 reviews

Current Resident: I have loved growing up in bridlemile. The neighborhoods are beautiful and clean, and it’s a great place to raise children. One thing that could be improved is neighborhood identity.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 7,227

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• grade A

• grade B+

• grade A

• Population 4,323

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: Just moved to the neighborhood, but it seems like a super safe and clean part of the city! I love it so far.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Population 6,816

• Neighborhood in Vancouver, WA

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  7 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Population 3,548

• Neighborhood in Beaverton, OR

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  16 reviews

Current Resident: This is one of the most ecologically sound areas in the metro area. It's beautiful and much of nature has been kept intact, built around instead of over. Extensive old-growth forests, pathways, and a rec center complete the neighborhood. As a BIPOC parent, my kids have been welcomed with open arms and feel very safe and comfortable here. Homes are all built in the same time period and style, so you get 1990's homes on large lots for a decent price. This neighborhood is on a hill, so we rarely have random people walking/driving through, and it's very safe. It's a place where kids walk to school and where you can sleep with the windows open. Zoned for Nancy Ryles elementary which is a magical little school that everyone treasures.... Read 16 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 6,625

• Neighborhood in Portland, OR

• •
  Rating 4.46 out of 5  13 reviews

Current Resident: My neighbors are so kind and generous. When we first moved into our home, we were greeted with cookies and jam. Everyone has always been so welcoming to our family. Best of all, we have 1 large neighborhood block party every year and numerous spontaneous street parties through out the year. The parties are fun for both adults and children. We even all go trick or treating together. Our neighbors trust me with their children, homes, and pets. I have been given many job opportunities from my neighbors. I would definitely give my neighborhood a 10 out of 10. The only thing to make this neighborhood better, is to had more amazing families!... Read 13 reviews

• grade A

• grade B+

• grade A

• Population 1,498